A man has been treated for burns after a 30ft boat caught fire in the East Haven Creek.

Firefighters were called just after 8am this morning (February 19) to reports that the boat was fully alight in Ferry Road, Benfleet.

Four crews from Rayleigh, Canvey, Leigh and Basildon were dispatched to the scene.

On arrival crews reported that the boat, which was grounded while the tide was out and is around 30 feet long, was completely alight.

A spokesman for the fire service said: "Due to the large amount of smoke being created by the fire, firefighters liaised with the operators of a nearby railway line to ensure there was no further safety risk, as well as the Environment Agency due to a nearby nature reserve.

"The fire was extinguished completely by 9.36am.

"One man has been left in the care of the Ambulance Service after suffering burns.

"An investigation into the cause of the fire is now taking place."